Starting from their overnight score of 237 for 6 the visitors couldn’t seize the opportunity fully on Day three as Indian left arm orthodox Ravindra Jadeja created havoc on the field. His 6 for 63 completely shattered the dream of Australia to take a big lead. Instead, the entire team got bowled out for 276 adding just 39 more runs to their scorecard today.

Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara put India on top

Apart from the likes of Renshaw (60), Shaun Marsh (66) and some fiery shots down the order by Mathew Wade (40) most other batsmen thoroughly failed in front of Jadeja’s spectacular slow-left-arm bowling. In fact, Australia’s last three wickets failed within just five overs adding just 7 runs to the board.

Ravindra Jadeja’s spinning deliveries not only took wickets at regular intervals, but also stopped the flow of runs from the Aussie batsmen. Ashwin also supported him well. This created more pressure the Visitors and eventually, the Kangaroo went all out while trying to accelerate the score.

It was Jadeja’s second best bowling figure of 6 for 63 after the famous 7 for 48 against England in Chennai last December. India then came out to bat with a heavy burden of 87-run lead on their head. But once again young L Rahul proved his consistency with the bat. He stood rock solid from one end, but Abhinav Mukund lost the opportunity again. Mukund got out for just 16 off Hazlewood’s fantastic delivery. This gave a solid breakthrough to Australia.

Then Pujara handled the situation calmly and safely negotiated the rest of the day without playing any risky shots. He was in sublime touch today hitting the balls so well across the field. Pujara remained unbeaten on 79* off 173 balls with 6 boundaries. He added 45-run-partnership with Lokesh Rahul for the second wicket. But with the latter’s dismissal, match once again got opened as the Aussies quickly removed Kohli (15) and Ravindra Jadeja (2) at cheap scores within a few balls only.

That’s when Rahane’s super defensive technique came to India’s help. Having lost top 4 wickets with just 120 on board, India were certainly looking for a big partnership. Another wicket would have devastated India completely. But right hander duo of Rahane (40*) and Pujara added an unbroken 93-run partnership for the fifth wicket and saved the day. Rahane and Pujara might have played little slower but that’s what had kept India alive into this game.

The Aussie spin duo of Lyon and Steve O’Keefe bowled around 43 over of India’s 72 overs. And no doubt, they were bowling amazingly well with their turns and twisting deliveries that moved away from the right handers. At stumps, India were playing on 213 for 4 with Rahane and Pujara at crease.

Atish Home Chowdhury is a freelance writer. sports are inseparable from him. He especially loves WWE, Cricket and other sports. It was long ago during his childhood he aimed to become a cricketer first but his creativity didn’t allow him to become a player. Instead he chose to be a sports journalist. This fulfills my aim both as a creative person as well as it keeps me inside the world of sports too.